United States Eventing Association

Part seven in a series on preparing for your first three-day event.

In this series Ashley Adams, assistant trainer to Bonnie Mosser at Point Above Farm, offers advice to riders preparing for their first three-day event. Ashley is currently preparing her Thoroughbred gelding Vaunted for their second time competing at the Rolex Kentucky three-day event.

Last week I chatted about the basic “how-to’s” of the trot-up. This time let’s talk FASHION! While the trot-ups are indeed very stressful and you have to know what your horse needs from you on that given day, they can also be seen in a rather fun and festive light.

I must say that I am a little superstitious about picking out my trot-up outfit too early. Last year at Rolex I actually never really picked an outfit; I just grabbed all of my “real people” clothes, took them to the cleaner, and then hung them up in my trailer. Then I went into the trailer on jog morning and just let the spirit move me. It looked like a J.Crew dressing room in there! Sometimes I wish I were a boy… suit, tie, jacket, comb, done.

For riders it can be fun to let your own personal style come out a bit. For instance look at Sharon White at a trot-up and you will undoubtedly see something orange on her. That said, there are a few unwritten rules: under no circumstances do you want to wear a skirt that is shorter than your knees and not fitted or heavy enough to hang down. Also, a low cut shirt may not be the best thing to wear for when you run up and down a jog strip with everyone staring at you.

The general rule of thumb is that you are going for a classic business look. This is not limited to a black, brown, or pinstripe suit, it just means that you don’t want to look like you are going out clubbing or to a Dancing with the Stars party!

I like to pick colors that go well with my horse. For instance, Vaunted is a blood bay color, so I like to either wear something black with a little bit of color or a beige or light brown color scheme with a lighter more pastel color thrown in. Generally I believe that the Sunday morning trot up is the more formal one; that said, if I am going to wear brown I will do it on Wednesday as that is the less formal trot-up.

The biggest thing to remember is that you want to be comfortable. The trot-up is your time to show off your horse and make a good impression. If you are worried about your clothing then your confidence will not shine through in the presentation.

So once again as long as you are comfortable and you maintain the ever-coveted classic and clean look, you’re good. It is always fun to walk out in jog warm-up and see who is wearing what and who is pushing the fashion trends.

The horse is just as important to keep clean and tidy. After all, this whole shindig is for them! In the next installment I will give a few do’s and don’ts about horse presentation at the trot. I’ll talk about everything from braids, to how to make their tail shiny, to getting those socks so white you will need sunglasses! Until next time keep up with those gallops, equipment checks and entries, and keep your eye on the prize: your three-day event!